How Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Kendra Is Transforming Community Life in Assam

In an age when society often looks to technology and policy to solve its problems, it is easy to forget that real progress depends on the values that shape our communities. Institutions that nurture culture, education, and civic awareness play a vital role in improving lives at the ground level. In Assam, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Guwahati Kendra has quietly and consistently been doing just that—building bridges between generations, promoting cultural understanding, and helping citizens live with dignity and awareness. Its activities over the past year show how much a committed organisation can achieve when guided by a sense of purpose and partnership with the community.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is one of India’s leading cultural and educational organisations, founded in 1938 by K. M. Munshi with the support of Mahatma Gandhi. It works to preserve and promote Indian culture, values, and traditions while offering quality modern education. The Bhavan runs schools, colleges, libraries, and cultural centres across India and abroad, blending academic learning with moral and cultural development. It publishes books on philosophy, history, literature, and culture, and organises music, dance, theatre, and literary events that keep India’s artistic heritage alive. Guided by its motto, “Let noble thoughts come to us from every side,” the Bhavan follows an inclusive and holistic vision. Over the years, it has played a major role in shaping character-building education and continues to inspire generations by nurturing knowledge, creativity, and cultural pride.

Founded on the vision of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s national mission—the reintegration of Indian culture through education and service—the Guwahati Kendra, established in 2005, has become a beacon of social engagement in the region. Under the leadership of Chairperson Himangshu Sekhar Das, Former Chief Information Commissioner of Assam, Secretary S.K. Roy (Former Secretary, Government of Assam and Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup District), and a dedicated team of members including B.P. Todi (Former Advocate General of Meghalaya), Kailash Karthik N., IAS (Secretary, PHE and MD, JJM), Sharodi Saikia (Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Sattriya dance), Anupam Deka (Director, Repose Agrotech Private Ltd. and recipient of the Assam Gaurav Award), Hitesh Baruah (M.D., Nemcare Super Speciality Hospital), Sadhan Brata Das, M.D., DNB (Internal Medicine Specialist, Apollo Hospitals), Atanu Choudhary (Retired Vice-Principal), Ramen Das, and Prashanta Kumar Barua (Retired Civil Servant), the Kendra has expanded its reach beyond classrooms and auditoriums. It now works directly with some of the most respected yet often overlooked sections of society: senior citizens.

Through a series of meetings with senior citizen forums in Pandu, Bhetapara, Lachit Nagar, Kahilipara, and Ulubari, the Kendra has listened closely to the needs of the elderly. Supported by India Carbon Ltd., these meetings have led to concrete plans for better facilities such as libraries and community spaces where older citizens can interact, learn, and stay active. These are not mere welfare gestures; they are thoughtful steps to make aging a dignified and fulfilling stage of life.

The Kendra’s medical and cyber awareness programmes for senior citizens have been among its most important contributions. In February 2025, a medical awareness session led by Dr. Jayanta Biswa Sarma, a renowned doctor from England and Chairman of the Assam Healthcare Cooperative Society, drew more than ninety senior citizens from across Guwahati. The programme was both informative and empowering, offering practical advice on common health issues, preventive care, and mental well-being. For many elderly participants, it was also a rare chance to ask questions and receive expert answers in a comfortable and respectful setting.

Equally significant were the cybercrime awareness programmes organised in various parts of the city—from Bhetapara and Pandu to Lachit Nagar and Hatigaon. These sessions featured senior police officers and cybersecurity experts from the Assam Police and the State Bank of India. The aim was simple yet crucial: to protect senior citizens from online fraud, phishing, and financial scams that increasingly target the elderly. The use of projectors and interactive sessions made these events engaging and easy to understand. By educating senior citizens on digital safety, the Kendra has filled an urgent gap that even government agencies sometimes struggle to address effectively.

Moreover, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Guwahati Kendra runs an affordable computer education centre, the Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology, where computer skills are imparted in line with the government’s Skill India mission.

Beyond welfare, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Guwahati Kendra continues to uphold Assam’s rich cultural heritage through its Kala Kendra. Workshops on Assamese Holigeet, Bharatanatyam, and Sattriya dance have drawn enthusiastic participation from students, senior citizens, and cultural enthusiasts. The Guwahati Kendra is also planning a Borgeet workshop soon. The free Holigeet workshop held in February 2025 encouraged both young and old to reconnect with Assam’s traditional spring songs, blending joy with cultural learning. The Bharatanatyam and Sattriya dance workshops conducted in July 2025—graced by Guwahati Police Commissioner Shri Partha Sarathi Mahanta, IPS, and Krishna Kanta Handique National Award recipient Dr. Pradip Jyoti Mahanta—gave students a platform to experience discipline, creativity, and the beauty of classical arts under the guidance of accomplished teachers. These workshops not only preserve traditional art forms but also help young participants develop focus, confidence, and respect for their roots. Currently, the BVB Kala Kendra is conducting regular Sattriya and Bharatanatyam classes at affordable rates.

The Kendra also marked the 11th International Yoga Day with active participation from senior citizens, students, and residents of Guwahati. Yoga sessions, held in the presence of guests such as India Carbon Ltd.’s General Manager, Shyamal Bhattacharjee, reinforced the message that health is not just about physical fitness but also mental balance. By promoting yoga and meditation, the Bhavan continues to support holistic wellness in a time when stress and lifestyle diseases are on the rise. The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has established a Yoga Kendra under the Bhavan’s Centre for Senior Citizens, where regular yoga classes are held free of cost for the elderly.

One of the most inspiring events was the celebration of World Senior Citizen Day at the Kendra premises. With guests such as Padma Shri awardee Ajay Dutta, Guwahati Mayor Mrigen Sarania, and senior executives from India Carbon Ltd., including General Manager Shyamal Bhattacharjee, the event honoured the elderly for their contributions to society. It was not just a symbolic gesture but a statement that senior citizens deserve recognition, respect, and continued engagement in community life.

These wide-ranging activities show that the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Guwahati Kendra is much more than a cultural centre. It is an example of how civic institutions can fill the spaces between government and society—especially spaces that require a personal touch, empathy, and sustained effort. Organisations like the Bhavan bring together corporate sponsors, professionals, and community groups to create programmes that directly improve people’s lives.

However, to make such efforts sustainable and scalable, there must be a strong partnership between voluntary institutions and the government. A proactive state can provide the policy framework, infrastructure, and funding support, while organisations like Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan can bring community trust, cultural understanding, and implementation capacity. Together, they can create a model of inclusive development that focuses not only on economic growth but also on human well-being.

In cities like Guwahati, where urban life is growing fast and traditional community bonds are weakening, such collaborations are essential. Whether it is addressing loneliness among the elderly, promoting digital safety, preserving cultural heritage, or encouraging healthy living, the government cannot do it alone. It needs trusted institutions that work at the ground level with empathy and experience. The Bhavan’s Guwahati Kendra has shown how effective that partnership can be.

In the end, the real value of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Guwahati Kendra lies not in the number of programmes it conducts but in the spirit it embodies—a belief that culture and compassion can go hand in hand with progress. By combining knowledge, service, and tradition, the Kendra reminds us that development is not only about building cities but also about building communities.

As Assam moves forward, institutions like Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan will remain crucial in shaping a more humane and inclusive society. A government that recognises and supports such efforts will not just deliver services but also nurture a sense of belonging and pride among its citizens. Together, they can ensure that progress in Assam is measured not only in numbers but also in the quality of life and the strength of shared values.